Mothers' Health-Seeking Behaviors and Ignorance of Children's Fever: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Background: Fever is a sign of illness in children, but when it cannot be controlled, it can become a serious concern. Objectives: This study examines mothers' awareness of their children's fever and how they respond to it. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted at Bandar Abbas Children's Hospital in 2022. Mothers were randomly selected and completed a checklist covering their understanding of fever, how to measure it, the measurement tools used, their first action when their child has a fever, and the dose and type of antipyretic used. Results: Three hundred mothers of children were included in the study; 37% of the participants were illiterate or had less than a diploma, while 62% had a diploma or higher (P = 0.004). Sixteen percent did not know what temperature constitutes a fever, and 26% considered a temperature of 37°C or higher to be a fever. Approximately 18% of the participants reported a temperature of 37.5°C as a fever (P < 0.05). A total of 85% of mothers preferred to use acetaminophen, with a few preferring ibuprofen as a fever reducer. The majority of mothers administered acetaminophen every 6 hours, with only 8.35% giving it every 4 hours. Conclusions: Most mothers in this study did not have accurate knowledge of how to treat and care for a child with a fever, especially those with lower education levels. We recommend that a comprehensive program be organized to increase mothers' awareness of managing children's fever.